Dog Bite Lawyers Serving the Bronx, NY
It’s uncommon to go about your day-to-day life in the Bronx without encountering a dog. While many dog encounters are passive or friendly, some are not. Dogs, familiar or not, can bite and attack unexpectedly and cause severe injuries to victims.
When a dog attack happens, the injuries can be serious: infections, broken bones, nerve damage, puncture wounds, and lacerations, along with the emotional trauma that often follows. New York law gives people injured by a dog more than one way to seek compensation from the owner, including strict liability and, since 2025, negligence. Bites in New York City also have to be reported to the Health Department within 24 hours, so acting quickly matters for both your health and your claim.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact The Barnes Firm. With over 500 years of combined experience, our team of Bronx dog bite attorneys will defend your rights and help you get the justice you deserve. Call us today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE consultation.
Do I Need an Attorney After Being Bitten by a Dog?
After being bitten by a dog, you may be left injured and unsure where to turn. That’s where The Barnes Firm is here to help. When you choose The Barnes Firm, our team of attorneys will:
- Investigate every detail of your case
- Provide advice regarding your legal options
- Advocate on your behalf
- Help you get the best result possible
The Barnes Firm enables you to focus on recovery while we focus on pursuing compensation for you. Call us today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation by one of our Bronx dog bite accident attorneys. It could be the best call you make.
New York State Dog Bite Laws
New York law gives injured people more than one way to hold a dog owner responsible:
- Strict liability. An owner who knew or should have known that their dog had vicious propensities can be held strictly liable for harm caused by those propensities.
- Negligence. Since the New York Court of Appeals’ April 2025 decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow, you can also bring a negligence claim against a dog owner who failed to use reasonable care. An injured person may pursue strict liability, negligence, or both.
- Dangerous dogs. Under Agriculture and Markets Law § 123, the owner or lawful custodian of a dangerous dog is generally strictly liable for the medical costs resulting from injury caused by the dog. To recover other damages, such as pain and suffering and lost wages, you would proceed under strict liability or negligence.
New York law generally allows three years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Acting promptly protects your rights.
Why Do Dogs Bite?
Whether it’s possessiveness, defending their territory, or something else, dogs can be triggered to bite for a variety of reasons. Causes may include:
- Petting an unfamiliar dog
- Provoking a dog
- Interrupting a dog while eating
- Trespassing on private property
- Dogs without a leash
- Irresponsible dog owners
It’s important to educate yourself and your children on how to be safe around all dogs, whether they’re familiar or not.
Who Is at Higher Risk of Being Attacked by a Dog?
Some groups face a higher risk of dog attacks, including:
- Postal workers and delivery personnelwho are required to enter private property daily on the job. In doing so, they have an increased likelihood of encountering dogs in their home territory, and these dogs may be prompted to attack.
- Children under the age of 10, who can unintentionally provoke dogs to attack with their behaviors. Additionally, their small size makes them incapable of defending themselves from attacking dogs.
- Elderly people who can’t react quickly enough to flee or fend off an aggressive dog, resulting in them becoming victims of bites and attacks.
Despite these groups being the most victimized by dog attacks, anyone can be bitten by any dog, anywhere, at any time. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact a Bronx dog bite lawyer at The Barnes Firm. Call us today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation.
What To Do After a Dog Attack in the Bronx
If you’ve been attacked by a dog in the Bronx, it is important to act quickly to protect your rights and secure evidence. After any animal attack, you should:
- Call the police
- Document evidence and witness testimonies at the scene
- Exchange information with the dog owner, including the dog’s information
- Report the attack. NYC Health Code Section 11.03 requires animal bites to be reported within 24 hours. Reports can be made through 311 or the Health Department’s Animal Bite Unit.
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Contact a Bronx dog bite accident attorney at The Barnes Firm
What Injuries Result from a Dog Bite?
Dog attacks can result in a variety of injuries, often depending on the size of the dog and severity of the attack. Some of the most common injuries caused by dog attacks in the Bronx include:
- Brain injuries
- Wounds and lacerations
- Broken or fractured bones
- Infections
- Nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
- And more…
If you or someone you know has been injured in a dog bite accident, call The Barnes Firm at (800) 800-0000. Our team of trusted Bronx dog bite accident lawyers will be by your side from the initial consultation all the way to the final settlement.
What Damages Can I Recover After Filing a Dog Bite Claim?
If you’ve been attacked by a dog in the Bronx, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. Our attorneys may be able to help you recover compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Property damage
After Being Bit by a Dog, Call The Barnes Firm
At The Barnes Firm, we understand the emotional and physical pain that comes with being bitten by a dog and are here to help you navigate the legal process and pursue the best result possible. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, call the Bronx dog bite attorneys at The Barnes Firm at (800) 800-0000. It could be the best call you make.
Our team of attorneys want to hear from you.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, construction accident, or have suffered another type of personal injury contact our team today.
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Answers to Your
Bronx Dog Bite FAQs
If you’re attacked by a dog while making a delivery, your priority should be seeking medical attention for your injuries. Even minor bites can lead to infections or other complications. It’s crucial to document the incident by reporting it to your employer and contacting local authorities, including animal control. This helps establish a record of the attack and the dog’s behavior, which can be essential if you pursue legal action for compensation.
Read More: What Delivery Drivers Need to Know About Dog Bite Liability
A personal injury lawsuit against a dog owner does not by itself decide what happens to the dog. Separately, a judge can decide whether a dog is dangerous. If a judge finds a dog dangerous, the judge must order it neutered or spayed and microchipped, and may order other measures. Euthanasia may be ordered only under certain aggravating circumstances, such as an unjustified attack that caused serious physical injury or death.
Immediately after being bitten by a dog, seek medical treatment without delay. Document the incident by identifying the dog and its owner if possible. This information is crucial for medical treatment purposes and for any potential legal claims you may pursue to recover damages.
A dog’s lack of prior aggression can matter, but it does not end your case. Since the New York Court of Appeals’ April 2025 decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow, an injured person can bring a negligence claim in addition to, or instead of, a strict liability claim based on the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s vicious propensities. Your own conduct, including whether you provoked the dog, can also matter.
Possibly. Under Agriculture and Markets Law § 123, the owner or lawful custodian of a dangerous dog is generally strictly liable for medical costs resulting from injury to a companion animal, farm animal, or domestic animal. An unjustified attack on a service dog, guide dog, or hearing dog can also lead to a dangerous dog finding. Consult a dog bite lawyer to understand your options.
As a parent of a child bitten by a dog, seek immediate medical attention for your child. Even minor bites can have serious consequences, especially for children. Report the incident to local authorities and gather information about the dog and its owner. Consulting with a dog bite lawyer specializing in child injuries can help you protect your child’s rights and seek compensation for medical expenses and emotional trauma.
Read More: Top Reasons Why Kids are at Greater Risk of Dog Attacks
To obtain compensation after being attacked by someone’s dog in New York, you can file a personal injury claim against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or pursue a civil lawsuit. A dog bite lawyer can assess your case, gather evidence such as medical records and witness statements, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if needed to secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
NYC Health Code Section 11.03 requires animal bites to be reported within 24 hours. Reports can be made through 311 or the Health Department’s Animal Bite Unit. Reporting also helps the Health Department determine whether the biting dog is healthy ten days after the bite, which can help you avoid unnecessary rabies shots.
Written by The Barnes Firm, reviewed by Richard Barnes